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CNPP Warns Against Appointing Onochie as Acting INEC Commissioner

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Lauretta Onochie

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has warned against any attempt to forcefully appoint Ms Lauretta Onochie as an acting commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

This week, the Senate, after several calls, including from the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), rejected the nomination of Ms Onochie as an INEC Commissioner.

She was nominated for the position by President Muhammadu Buhari, but there was opposition to this development as she was accused of being a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

During her screening at the Senate, Ms Onochie, who worked as a social media aide to Mr Buhari, claimed she stopped being a member of the APC from 2019.

At the plenary on Tuesday, the upper chamber of the National Assembly said it was rejecting the nomination of Ms Onochie because of the principle of federal character. It was noted that someone from her state, Delta State, was already occupying a position in the commission.

The CNPP, in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by its Secretary-General, Mr Willy Ezugwu, commended the Senate for the rejection, saying it listened to “the voice of reason” and proved that it was not a “rubber stamp” parliament as it is being insinuated.

“It pays for all elected public officers to listen to the people from whom they derive their powers and are holding offices in trust for their well-being, with a view to improving on the rapidly eroding public confidence in our political office holders,” the group stated.

“While we commend the Senators for not allowing the controversial nomination Onochie to sail through, we warn of a repeat of the Ibrahim Magu template where the executive unilaterally imposed him on the country in perpetual acting capacity as Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the wish of the people.

“We all know how Magu’s tenure as EFCC’s Acting Chairman ended, proving that corruption allegation against him by the Department of State Services (DSS) leading to his rejection by the 8th Senate was correct.

“And just as a once corrupt person will always be corrupt, a partisan player like Lauretta Onochie would have remained partisan even as INEC commissioner.

“It will be disastrous for our already struggling democracy if the executive is allowed to appoint a fanatically partisan character like Lauretta Onochie through the backdoor, using the Magu template,” it warned.

“The CNPP hereby advises the Presidency to shelve all overbearing attitude it has continued to subtly exhibit on the federal lawmakers in the remaining less than two years of the tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari.

“All federal lawmakers, Mr President, and presidential aides should focus more on life after office rather than generating controversies through an unending opposition to the welfare of the citizens manifesting in numerous ill-conceived policies and executive bills meant to gag the people and the media,” the CNPP stated.

Modupe Gbadeyanka is a fast-rising journalist with Business Post Nigeria. Her passion for journalism is amazing. She is willing to learn more with a view to becoming one of the best pen-pushers in Nigeria. Her role models are the duo of CNN's Richard Quest and Christiane Amanpour.

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NCC Arraigns Netnaija’s Emma Analike Over Alleged Copyright Infringement

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By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The chief executive of Netnaija Media Enterprises, Mr Emmanuel Analike, has been arraigned before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja by the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC).

The suspect appeared before Justice Suleiman Liman on Wednesday over allegations bordering on copyright infringement.

He was accused by the NCC of using his online platform to make movies and others not belonging to him available for users to download on the internet.

According to the agency, Mr Analike has infringed copies of audio-visual materials distributed online via his website for online users. Netnaija is an online movie and music download site.

The prosecution counsel, Ms Gladys Isaac-Ojo, who works with the NCC, told the court that the defendant committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 44 (1) (a) of the Copyright Act, 2022.

However, Mr Analike pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him, prompting his counsel, Nnemeka Ejiofor, seek his bail.

The lawyer informed the court that the application was filed on Monday and supported by 23 paragraphs of affidavits and a written address.

But the judge refused to give a bench ruling and adjourned the ruling of the bail application to Monday, March 9, 2026, ordering the remand of the Netnaija chief in Kuje Correctional Centre.

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Entries Open for ClimateLaunchpad Green Business Ideas Competition

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By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Entries for the 2026 edition of the world’s largest green business ideas competition, ClimateLaunchpad, have opened.

In 2025, the programme, organised by Climate KIC, received over 2,700 applications from 40 countries. The winning ventures gain prize money, investor connections, and access to a global cleantech network.

This year’s edition is expected to be bigger and better, with climate innovators, green venture builders, and entrepreneurs from around the world given the opportunity to apply.

Since its inception in 2014, the programme has supported nearly 5,000 ideas across 97 countries, and this year, it is expanding its presence in Asia with Singapore hosting both the regional final and global grand final for the first time.

Participants move through several stages, including an initial mini-course to refine the concept, an intensive multi-day Boot Camp led by expert trainers, targeted coaching to perfect value propositions and investor pitches, national and regional finals, and a place at the global grand final, with prizes and access to a global climate network.

“Strengthening ClimateLaunchpad’s presence in Asia marks a profound new chapter for this programme and for the climate innovation movement more broadly. Asia is where so much of the world’s climate and nature future will be shaped, through business leadership, public-private partnerships and long-term strategic thinking,” the chief executive of Climate KIC, Kirsten Dunlop, stated.

“We look forward to supporting this momentum with new business ideas and innovation ecosystem collaborations across more than a dozen countries.

“This expansion opens space for deeper cross-cultural connections and for first-time founders to turn sparks of imagination into solutions that serve both people and planet,” Dunlop added.

Also commenting, the chief executive of Better Earth Ventures, Ms Rebecca Sharpe, said, “We are proud to host ClimateLaunchpad’s regional and global grand final in Singapore and to convene an international group of climate entrepreneurs from more than 50 countries.

“Climate solutions are emerging from every corner of the world, and bringing them together creates the kind of cross-border exchange and collaboration this moment demands. Our focus is to ensure early-stage founders have the structure, ecosystem access and support needed to move from idea to credible impact.”

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Nigeria Okays Alphanumeric Digital Postcode System to Boost Delivery

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By Adedapo Adesanya

Nigeria has finally approved the use of an alphanumeric digital postcode system for the country, 17 years after it was first considered.

According to the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Mr Bosun Tijani, the system was okayed at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday, chaired by President Bola Tinubu, in line with the ministry’s strategic blueprint.

He said working in collaboration with the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), the ministry will introduce a modern, geospatially intelligent addressing system that improves accuracy across the country and enables faster and more reliable mail and parcel processing.

“Beyond strengthening postal operations, the Digital Postcode System will also serve as an important national enabler supporting better national planning, improved emergency response, more efficient logistics and e-commerce, and the delivery of government services.

“As our digital economy continues to grow, foundational systems such as this play an essential role in building the infrastructure required to connect people, businesses, and services more efficiently across the country,” he said.

He noted that the approval represents another step forward in the Mr Tinubu-led administration’s commitment to building the enabling environment to support a modern, inclusive, and globally competitive digital economy.

On her part, Ms Tola Odeyemi, the Post Master General and chief executive officer of NIPOST, said the implementation is a foundational step toward building the digital infrastructure required for a modern economy.

“First conceptualised in 2009, this initiative is finally becoming a reality in 2026 under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani,” she wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

“A digital postcode system is more than a postal reform. It is critical national infrastructure that enables e-commerce, logistics, emergency services, financial inclusion, security, urban planning, and effective public service delivery,” she added.

By introducing an alphanumeric addressing framework, Nigeria will now be able to identify locations with far greater precision across cities, towns, and rural communities.

“This will significantly improve how goods, services, and digital platforms reach Nigerians everywhere.

“This milestone reflects a shared commitment by the Federal Government to strengthen Nigeria’s digital backbone and unlock new opportunities for innovation, commerce, and national development,” she further stated.

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